General Considerations
- benign tumor arising from basal cells of the epidermis, hair follicles, or sweat or sebaceous glands
- basal cell carcinomas may be induced by ultraviolet radiation
- basal cell carcinomas account for 4%-12% of canine skin tumors
- mean age 6-9 years
- breed predisposition: Cocker Spaniel
- sites: head, neck, and shoulders
- gross appearance: solitary, well-circumscribed, freely movable, and pigmented, solid, or cystic ± ulcerated in cats
- metastasis is rare but local tumor recurrence after incomplete excision is possible
- treatment: surgery or cryosurgery (if < 1 cm)
- prognosis: excellent
BASAL CELL CARCINOMA